France has a lot to offer expats. It’s a country rich with culture and history, known for its exceptional cuisine and couture, as well as its vibrant cities and gorgeous countryside and coastlines.
Brexit may have changed the process for moving abroad, but it doesn’t have to stop you from moving to France to enjoy their relaxed way of life. With our expert guide, we explain all you need to know about moving to France after Brexit.
What Changes Have Been Made After Brexit?
After a few years of uncertainty, the Brexit rules for UK nationals wanting to live in an EU country are now in force. As the UK is now no longer an EU country, the following changes have been made for those looking to move abroad:
- UK nationals are no longer entitled to live in another EU country without first going through the necessary immigration process applicable for a third-country national.
- Those wanting to stay in France for longer than 90 days must apply for a long-stay visa before they travel.
- Applying for French citizenship requires specific conditions to be met, including regarding language and integration.
- Those wanting to work in France will need a work visa and will usually need to secure an employer before they travel.
Visas for Moving to France
If you are only looking to stay in France for a short period of time, you will not need a visa to do so. However, if you want to stay for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa.
Short-term visas
If you will be visiting for longer than 90 days but less than 12 months, you can apply for a long-stay visitor visa. This will allow you to live in France for this period, and sometimes work too. You could also apply for a temporary long-stay visa, if you are planning on living in France between three to six months in a year. This type of visa is usually used by those who have a second home in France.
Long-term visas
If you’re moving to France long-term, you will need a residence permit, or “carte de séjour”. There are a few different types of residency permits available, and the one you should apply for will depend on your situation. They include:
- Long stay visa – this visa will allow an individual to live in France long-term, and in some circumstances with conditions met, it will allow them to work whilst they’re there too. It is usually valid for one year, but it can be extended.
- Multi-year residency permit – this will usually be issued to those who already hold a long stay visa. It will allow them to live in France up to four years.
- Retired persons residency permit – this visa is typically for those who are looking to retire in France and will be able to support themselves through their own finances. It is valid up to 10 years.
- Permanent residency permit – this allows an individual to live and work in France for up to ten years.
The French Government website has more information so you can find exactly the right visa for your situation.
Moving to France to Work
If you’re looking to work in France, there are a few different types of working visas available, depending on the type of work you will be doing. This includes the “talent passport” visa, which allows highly-skilled workers or entrepreneurs looking to start a business in France to do so. It is usually valid for up to five years and has different requirements depending on the category of worker that you fall into.
In general, those looking to apply for this type of working visa will need to provide the relevant documents to support their application, including their qualifications, CV, details about the work they are looking to undertake in France, and proof of funds. You will also need to provide a copy of your work contract, which usually will need to be valid for at least three months.
Moving to France to Study
For students looking to study in France, Brexit means that they will now have to apply for a French Study visa for any courses that will last longer than three months. There are a few different types of study visas available, including:
- Short stay student visa – this allows the individual to study in France for up to three months without a separate residence visa. It cannot be renewed or extended.
- Visa to sit entrance exams – this allows an individual to sit an entrance exam for a higher education institution. If the exam is passed, the individual may apply for a residence permit that can be renewed if they continue to live and study in France.
- Temporary long stay visa – this allows the individual to live and study in France between three to six months without a separate residence permit. It cannot be renewed or extended.
- Long stay visa – this will allow the individual to stay in France to study for longer than six months. It will usually last for the duration of the course, e.g., three years for a bachelor’s degree or two years for a master’s. It will also act as the residence permit.
For a study visa, you will usually need to provide the official enrolment letter from your educational institution in France that specifies the start and end dates of your course. You will also need to provide proof that you have the funding to support yourself, either from your own bank statement or from another source. You will also need to provide details of your travel, as well as proof that you have accommodation and medical insurance.
International students are permitted to work around 20 hours per week on a French study visa, without needing a separate work visa.
Moving To France?
If you’re moving to France, Britannia Ryans is a family-run London removals company with an established network across France. We have over 40 years of experience in international removals and our specialist team will always provide a friendly and professional service. We’re proud to always ensure the best quality stress-free removals for your move from London to France.
For more information about our France removals, please contact us on 0208 328 3378 or email britannia@ryansmove.com, or use the Quick Quote box for a free, no-obligation quote.
